Post by Kieran on Jun 30, 2013 21:14:15 GMT
Hello, welcome to the 00s World Football Draft Game. Basically, 16 players have spent the last few weeks picking players to make a team (you can see how they did it in this thread pldraftgame.freeforums.net/thread/26/world-football-draft-game-round ) and they are now ready to go head-to-head against each other to win your vote - which do you think is the better team? The voter has both the squad-sheet and the bios/tactics to consider!
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the 2000s - so what they did pre 2000 is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Lewinick- Formation/bio/tactics
Tactics
General line-up: neutral positions. (4-3-2-1)
Line-up in ATTACK
Midfield - My second draft pick Sergio Busquets is one of the key features of my team’s tactical approach. With Busquets in the side, the emphasis will be on dominating the midfield, both in possession, and in recycling the ball; there’s nobody better in world football at this than Sergio. Luka Modric has also thrived in a slightly deeper role recently, he too will be crucial for maintaining possession, providing dynamism and recycling possession as quickly as possible. This midfield axis will allow the more creative players in front to flourish. Deco will play the role he played most effectively at Barcelona, as the 3rd in a midfield 3, supplying a devastating #10 (Here Kaka, not Ronaldinho). Deco’s tactical discipline will be crucial, as will his playmaking and exploitation of opposition weakness. Deco is most likely to be linking up with Henry down the left half of the field, though not exclusively. With Henry and Shevchenko making runs in behind off the back of the defenders, Deco and Kaka will have plenty of opportunities to find balls in behind, both aerial, aimed towards Shevchenko, and along the ground for the forwards to run on to.
Forwards - Henry will play a starting role just off and to the left of Shevchenko, a role he played for a time at Arsenal, and brilliantly at Barcelona. When in possession though, Henry will essentially become a second striker. Henry’s main role will be to score goals, but with his fantastic vision and awareness (106 assists in his Arsenal career), he’ll also lay on plenty for Shevchenko. Further discussion of Henry’s role below.
Kaka will play the #10 role, roaming in behind Shevchenko. This was one of the most devastating partnerships of the decade, Kaka’s pace and direct running combined with exceptional vision providing a perfect foil for Sheva. Kaka will also float out to the right when needed, making use of his crossing ability. I’ll just leave this here; www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA9FUIq2PFQ
Defence – Dominating possession in midfield is a defensive tactic in itself, and by definition. This is combined with a pressing game all over the pitch, beginning with Henry and Kaka, and crucially being taken up by Modric and Busquets, forcing AB’s midfield back and trying to limit space and freedom for Messi to operate in. (More discussion below).
Both of the centre backs are specialist stoppers, and will eat up any and all long balls, and balls into the box. Lucio will have some scope to bring the ball from deep, but in general Busquets will pick the ball up from the CB’s and make use of it. Lucio is particularly skilled with the ball at his feet, and so the defence can be a foundation for maintaining possession, as well as the midfield.
Jankulovski and Panucci at full back both provide good threat going forward (53 & 40 goals in their careers). Jankulovski has spent time as a winger and thus offers a great attacking threat, with good delivery into the box likely to be capitalised on by Shevchenko. Panucci will be expected to maintain his right back position and provide a rock solid backline, alongside Lucio and Vidic. The beauty of having Busquets in the side is that, should we be caught short in defence he can fill in and form a back 3 with Lucio and Vidic.
Both Lucio and Vidic are brilliant in the air and so, along with Shevchenko, will provide a significant threat to the opposition at corners.
Set Pieces – Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry.
Opposition -
Key areas:
1. Stopping Messi: The team is set-up primarily to play it’s own game, maintaining possession and quickly recycling it back when the ball is lost, inevitably though, the team will spend periods concentrating on stifling Messi. This task will largely fall on the shoulders of Busquets. Busquets is one of the most intelligent footballers of the modern game, and will, as much as possible, track Messi, forcing him deep, tackling him quickly and always putting pressure on him before he gets into his stride. Luka Modric will also have a role to play here, providing the initial press onto Messi, and attempting to force him to play the ball early. The beauty of the Busquets/Modric combination is that they’ll run all day, not in a Scott Parker kind of way, but in an intelligent fashion, forcing Messi deep and biting at his heels if and when he gets into his stride.
2. Halting Cafu’s runs and Exploiting the space behind: Cafu was a phenomenal athlete, and an iconic wingback, keeping him quiet will be nigh on impossible. Down my left we have firstly Thierry Henry, he’ll play a subtle role versus Cafu, by constantly hugging the left and then cutting in, Cafu will need to have his wits about him at all times, otherwise he’ll risk losing him and letting Henry in behind (and we all know what that means.) Cafu is no mug, and despite the reputation for marauding forward, he’ll be forced back for long periods, with Henry putting him under constant pressure.
When Henry finds himself inside, of course Marek Jankulovski will provide the crucial line of defence against Cafu. Jankulovski has/had a good engine on him, and will be provide some stern opposition to Cafu’s forward running exploits.
DEFENSIVE TACTIC - We can see Henry & Jankulovski’s defensive roles v Cafu here, as well as the congestion plan to stifle Messi.
3. Winning the Midfield Battle: This is they key area of this tie for me, and the area I’m most confident my team has a significant edge. In Busquets, Modric and Deco we have three masterful passers of the football, all are renowned for their technical ability on the ball, and their intelligence and movement off it. AB of course has a phenomenal midfielder himself in Schweinsteiger, as well as the very competent Martinez. I do however see my threesome outplaying those two, with Mesut Ozil perhaps roaming around and not really providing too much in the way of support for his fellow midfielders. It’s also here that I have a new trick up my sleeve, in the shape of Ballon D’or winning former World POTY, Kaka. Kaka will operate in a roaming role, but mostly in front of the midfield 3, providing a dynamic link between midfield and attack. Kaka played this role better than any other player in the 2000’s, of course linking up with Andriy Shevchenko to devastating effect in that Milan side. Kaka was of course supported at Milan by a trio (sometimes quartet) of midfielders, so we know he can function excellently in this role. Kaka will force Schweini and JM deep, running at them with pace, and ideally exploiting the space behind them when they’re forced into a battle with Deco & Modric.
4. Limiting supply to Ronaldo/Suppressing his threat: Not an easy task. Winning the battle in midfield should help, by dominating possession and utilising Busquets against Messi slightly behind Ronaldo, we should be able to limit quality to supply. Of course balls will get through, we know that Vidic isn’t the quickest he makes up for that with tactical awareness and power, but Lucio is certainly no slouch whatsoever, in fact I’d probably describe his as pacey, certainly once he’s into his stride. If we come under pressure from the wings, likely with Ribery and Cafu in AB’s side, I couldn’t imagine a better pairing than Lucio and Vidic to deal with the aerial assaults, reading the game to get in ahead of Ronaldo, who was not as devastating, post knee troubles.
5. Shevchenko exploiting Cordoba: The weakness, if any, in AB’s side for me is Cordoba, though a competent centre back, versus Andriy Shevchenko in full flight, I don’t think it’s a contest. Shevchenko will of course receive supply from his favourite ever assister, Kaka, and prolific assister Henry. Sheva will look to pull onto Cordoba whenever possible, with Henry keeping Cafu and Rio entertained on the other side of the defence. I can see floated balls from Deco in behind/over the head of Cordoba being seized upon by Shevchenko, and finished with aplomb (cc. Football Cliches)
Applebonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the 2000s - so what they did pre 2000 is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
Lewinick- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
Jerzy Dudek
Best remembered for his incredible double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the Champions League final, (Seriously www.break.com/video/ugc/liverpool-milan-dudek-amazing-save-608740 ) Dudek had a fantastic career at Anfield. Dudek kept a then club record, 25 clean sheets in his first 50 games for Liverpool. Dudek was a phenomenal shot-stopper who excelled on the big occasion; he won the MOTM award in Liverpool’s League Cup win over Man Utd.
Honours
Team
Liverpool
• UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
• UEFA Super Cup: 2005
FA Cup: 2005–06
League Cup: 2002–03
Real Madrid
• La Liga: 2007–08
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2008
Christian Panucci
Panucci was a no-nonsense Italian defender who excelled in a mean Roma defence, as well as for Italy. Panucci was a part of the Roma defence which holds a Serie A record, 7 consecutive clean sheets, between 28.09.2003 and 23.11.2003 (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/italy/serie-a/records )
Panucci was best known for his defensive capability, in many ways the stereotypical Italian defender of the 90’s/00’s. Strong, athletic, and a good reader of the game, he also managed to score 40 goals in his career.
Honours
Team
Roma
• Coppa Italia: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2007
Lucio
A proper defensive legend of recent years, Lucio began the decade by marshalling Brazil to World Cup triumph, in 2002.
Lucio was a key component of Bayern Munich’s dominant Bundesliga displays between 2004-2008, helping them to keep 47 clean sheets in the 3 seasons in which they won the title.
Lucio was perhaps at his absolute best for Inter Milan in the 2009/10 season, helping them to defeat Barcelona along the way to winning the Champions League. That was part of a treble which also featured a dominant Serie A win. In that season Inter kept 17 Serie A clean sheets, as well as a sensational cleen sheet in the Champions League final.
Lucio is best known as a powerhouse defender, pacey and strong he combines his physical attributes with a tremendous football brain.
Honours
Team
Bayern Munich
• Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2004, 2007
• DFL-Supercup: 2008
Inter Milan
• Serie A: 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10, 2010–11
• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2010
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Juventus
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual
FIFPro World XI: 2010
Nemanja Vidic
Vidic has had a sensational career at Man Utd, with 5 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and a Champions League to his name in a period where Man Utd have been more or less utterly dominant in England. And Vidic has been a key part of that. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been the consistent foundation upon which Man Utd’s successes have been built, with their finest hour resulting in a Premier League record, 14 consecutive clean sheets, between 15.11.2008 and 18.02.2009. (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/records )
Vidic’s style is best summed up by Alex Ferguson, “His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails.” Vidic is exceptionally strong, fearsome in the tackle and at times unbeatable in the air. Vidic makes up for his relative lack of pace with an exceptional reading of the game, making vital interceptions time after time.
Honours
Team
Red Star Belgrade
• Yugoslav Cup: 2001–02
• First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04
• Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2003–04
Manchester United
• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Indvidual
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
• Players' Player of the Year Award: 2008–09
• ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
• FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2008–09, 2010–11
Marek Jankulovski
Marek Jankulovski is a left full back best known for his displays for both Milan and Czech Republic. He’s a tireless runner with a good athleticism which allow him to get up and down the line effectively. Jankulovski has a devastating left foot which has supplied many great crosses and has helped him to 53 goals in his career.
Jankulovski was a key part of the Milan side which won the Champions League in 2007, starting the final alongside Maldini, Nesta and Oddo.
Honours
Team
Milan
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
• Serie A: 2010–11
Sergio Busquets
Where to start? The hub of the greatest club and international sides of the century, Busquets is absolutely crucial to the way both Barcelona and Spain play. His genius lies in the way he’s adapted a basic defensive midfield role to include both destruction of opposition attacks as well as dictation of the way his team plays. Busquets is a master at recycling possession and providing a platform for teams to attack from. He’ll never give up the ball easily either, averaging 92.2% pass completion in 12/13 (Whoscored.com). Many don’t like his ‘antics’, but for my money he’s been one of the most important players of the decade. Anyway, don’t listen to me, listen to Vicente del Bosque - "If I were a player, I would like to be like Busquets."
Honours
Team - Barcelona
• La Liga - ‘9, ’10, ’11, ‘13
• Champions League – ‘9, ‘11
• Copa del Rey – ‘9, ‘12
• World Club Cup – ‘9, ‘11
• Super Cup – ‘9, ‘11
Team – Spain
• World Cup – ‘10
• European Championships – ‘12
Individual
• Uefa Euro Team of the Tournament – ‘12
• La Liga breakthrough player of the year – ‘9
Luka Modric
Luka Modric sits in the side nicely alongside Sergio Busquets. Modric is an incredibly dynamic player, blessed with exquisite technique and vision. Modric’s is equally adept further up the field, as he is sitting in central midfield. He has matured into his new role at Madrid, using his techqnique to control possession as well as winning back the ball at pace.
He had a trophy laden early career in Croatia, before moving to Tottenham and becoming their most important player (2011 POTY). His move to Madrid started slowly, struggling to get in the side regularly, but toward the end of the season he managed to move ahead of Samir Khedira in the pecking order.
Honours
Team – Zagreb, Real Madrid
• Croatia PL – ‘6, ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia Cup – ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia & Spain Super Cups – ‘6, ‘12
Individual
• Croatian POTY – ‘7, ‘8, ‘11
• UEFA Euros TOTT – ‘8
Deco
A genius playmaker, outstanding in two of the great club sides of the decade. At Porto Deco played as an attacking midfielder, creating opportunities with his fantastic vision. Deco was a key player in Porto’s great team of the early ‘00s. Winning the Uefa Cup and Champions League in successive seasons.
At Barcelona Deco played as part of a 3 man midfield, whilst also forming a ludicrously talented partnership with Ronaldinho. At Barca he was known for his technique, passing ability, vision, and tactical awareness; often changing the game with a decisive pass.
Deco of course won the double with Chelsea in ’10, in the twilight of his career.
Deco is the only player to have won UEFA club midfielder of the year with 2 different clubs; in ’04 with Porto and ’06 with Barcelona. His list of honours is absolutely mental, and his collection of individual awards help to highlight just how important a player he was in the decade.
Honours
Porto
• Primeira Liga: 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04
• Taça de Portugal: 2000, 2001, 2003
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1999, 2001, 2003
• UEFA Champions League: 2004
• UEFA Cup: 2003
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2006
Chelsea
• Premier League: 2009–10
• FA Cup: 2009, 2010
• Community Shield: 2009
Fluminense
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2010, 2012
• Campeonato Carioca: 2012
• Taça Guanabara: 2012
Individual
• Ballon D'or (Silver Ball): 2004
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• UEFA Best Midfielder: 2003–04, 2005–06
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2006
• Portuguese League Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• 2004 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
• UEFA Team of the Tournament: 2004
New Signing - Kaka
Kaka has been brought in in place of Nani to provide a much more dynamic and direct threat to the opposition, replacing Nani with a Ballon D’or winning midfield magician was a fairly simple decision which has provided a whole new look for my team.
Between 2003 and 2009, Kaka scored 95 goals for Milan and provided 46 assists. (source:Wiki) It was during this spell that Kaka was at his most phenomenal, winning every award worth winning after guiding Milan to Champions League glory in 2007.
I’m going to steal a line from Robbro which I think perfectly sums up Kaka, “As capable of dribbling past an entire team as he is of providing a defence-splitting pass, Kaka’ will be this team’s ace in the pack.”
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: 2003–04
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2004
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
Madrid
• La Liga: 2011–12
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual (A selection)
• UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder: 2005
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2006, 2007,2009
• FIFPro World XI: 2006, 2007, 2008
• UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2006–07
• UEFA Champions League Best Forward: 2006–07
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2006–07
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007
• Ballon d'Or: 2007
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007
• FIFA Team of the Year: 2008
• FIFA World Cup Top Assister : 2010
Andriy Shechenko
127 goals in just 208 appearances for Milan, including 29 strikes in 2003/04, goals which helped Milan to the Serie A title, and Shevchenko to win the Ballon D’or. This was a year after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final. A true legend of the decade, Shevchenko is Milan’s second top goalscorer of all time. Shevchenko was never the quickest striker, but relied on a deadly mixture of positioning, power and finishing to decimate opposition defences. At Milan Shevchenko formed a deadly partnership with Pipo Inzaghi, as well as leading the line himself, supported by Kaka; demonstrating his ability to adapt to different systems.
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: ‘04
• Coppa Italia:‘03
• Champions League: ‘03
• Uefa Super Cup: ‘03
Chelsea
• FA Cup: ‘07
• League Cup: ‘07
Individual – how long have you got? Here’s a selection..
• Ballon D’or – 2004
• European Footballer of the Year – 2004
• Uefa Team of the Year – 2004, 2005
• Serie A top scorer – 2000, 2004
• FIFAPro World XI – 2005
• Ukraine all time leading scorer (48 goals)
Thierry Henry
The greatest player to ever play in the Premier League, well, according to me anyway.
Henry started the decade by winning the European Championships with France, scoring 3 goals and being named in the Team of the Tournament. Henry entered his absolute peak just after this period, winning two Premier League titles and 3 FA Cups with Arsenal, including the Invincibles season. Between 2001 and 2006 Henry was in every Uefa and PFA Team of the Year and won 4 consecutive Premier League golden boots. In 8 years at Arsenal, Henry managed 228 goals and 108 assists.
Henry was named in the World Cup 2006 Team of the Tournament, despite losing in the final.
After Arsenal Henry joined Barcelona and took a slightly altered role, on the left of a front 3 which in 2008/9 scored 100 goals between them. Henry was a key part of the Barcelona side many would describe as the greatest of the decade. Henry scored 26 goals in a season where Barcelona won every competition they entered.
Honours
Team
Arsenal
• Premier League: 02/03, 03/04
• FA Cup: ’02, ’03, ‘05
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09
• Supercopa de España: 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2008–09
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
France
• European Championships: 2000
• Confederations Cup: 2003
Individual – Again, a small selection
• PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
• PFA Team of the Year (6): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
• Premier League Golden Boot (4): 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06.
• UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
• European Golden Boot (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
• FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2006
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1): Germany 2006
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball (1): France 2003
• UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament (1): 2000
Jerzy Dudek
Best remembered for his incredible double save to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the Champions League final, (Seriously www.break.com/video/ugc/liverpool-milan-dudek-amazing-save-608740 ) Dudek had a fantastic career at Anfield. Dudek kept a then club record, 25 clean sheets in his first 50 games for Liverpool. Dudek was a phenomenal shot-stopper who excelled on the big occasion; he won the MOTM award in Liverpool’s League Cup win over Man Utd.
Honours
Team
Liverpool
• UEFA Champions League: 2004–05
• UEFA Super Cup: 2005
FA Cup: 2005–06
League Cup: 2002–03
Real Madrid
• La Liga: 2007–08
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2008
Christian Panucci
Panucci was a no-nonsense Italian defender who excelled in a mean Roma defence, as well as for Italy. Panucci was a part of the Roma defence which holds a Serie A record, 7 consecutive clean sheets, between 28.09.2003 and 23.11.2003 (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/italy/serie-a/records )
Panucci was best known for his defensive capability, in many ways the stereotypical Italian defender of the 90’s/00’s. Strong, athletic, and a good reader of the game, he also managed to score 40 goals in his career.
Honours
Team
Roma
• Coppa Italia: 2006–07, 2007–08
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2007
Lucio
A proper defensive legend of recent years, Lucio began the decade by marshalling Brazil to World Cup triumph, in 2002.
Lucio was a key component of Bayern Munich’s dominant Bundesliga displays between 2004-2008, helping them to keep 47 clean sheets in the 3 seasons in which they won the title.
Lucio was perhaps at his absolute best for Inter Milan in the 2009/10 season, helping them to defeat Barcelona along the way to winning the Champions League. That was part of a treble which also featured a dominant Serie A win. In that season Inter kept 17 Serie A clean sheets, as well as a sensational cleen sheet in the Champions League final.
Lucio is best known as a powerhouse defender, pacey and strong he combines his physical attributes with a tremendous football brain.
Honours
Team
Bayern Munich
• Bundesliga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Pokal: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2007–08
• DFB-Ligapokal: 2004, 2007
• DFL-Supercup: 2008
Inter Milan
• Serie A: 2009–10
• Coppa Italia: 2009–10, 2010–11
• UEFA Champions League: 2009–10
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2010
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2010
Juventus
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual
FIFPro World XI: 2010
Nemanja Vidic
Vidic has had a sensational career at Man Utd, with 5 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and a Champions League to his name in a period where Man Utd have been more or less utterly dominant in England. And Vidic has been a key part of that. His partnership with Rio Ferdinand has been the consistent foundation upon which Man Utd’s successes have been built, with their finest hour resulting in a Premier League record, 14 consecutive clean sheets, between 15.11.2008 and 18.02.2009. (Source: www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/records )
Vidic’s style is best summed up by Alex Ferguson, “His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails.” Vidic is exceptionally strong, fearsome in the tackle and at times unbeatable in the air. Vidic makes up for his relative lack of pace with an exceptional reading of the game, making vital interceptions time after time.
Honours
Team
Red Star Belgrade
• Yugoslav Cup: 2001–02
• First League of Serbia and Montenegro: 2003–04
• Serbia and Montenegro Cup: 2003–04
Manchester United
• Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
• Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10
• UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
Indvidual
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
• Premier League Player of the Season: 2008–09, 2010–11
• Players' Player of the Year Award: 2008–09
• ESM Team of the Year: 2006–07, 2008–09, 2010–11
• FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2008–09, 2010–11
Marek Jankulovski
Marek Jankulovski is a left full back best known for his displays for both Milan and Czech Republic. He’s a tireless runner with a good athleticism which allow him to get up and down the line effectively. Jankulovski has a devastating left foot which has supplied many great crosses and has helped him to 53 goals in his career.
Jankulovski was a key part of the Milan side which won the Champions League in 2007, starting the final alongside Maldini, Nesta and Oddo.
Honours
Team
Milan
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
• Serie A: 2010–11
Sergio Busquets
Where to start? The hub of the greatest club and international sides of the century, Busquets is absolutely crucial to the way both Barcelona and Spain play. His genius lies in the way he’s adapted a basic defensive midfield role to include both destruction of opposition attacks as well as dictation of the way his team plays. Busquets is a master at recycling possession and providing a platform for teams to attack from. He’ll never give up the ball easily either, averaging 92.2% pass completion in 12/13 (Whoscored.com). Many don’t like his ‘antics’, but for my money he’s been one of the most important players of the decade. Anyway, don’t listen to me, listen to Vicente del Bosque - "If I were a player, I would like to be like Busquets."
Honours
Team - Barcelona
• La Liga - ‘9, ’10, ’11, ‘13
• Champions League – ‘9, ‘11
• Copa del Rey – ‘9, ‘12
• World Club Cup – ‘9, ‘11
• Super Cup – ‘9, ‘11
Team – Spain
• World Cup – ‘10
• European Championships – ‘12
Individual
• Uefa Euro Team of the Tournament – ‘12
• La Liga breakthrough player of the year – ‘9
Luka Modric
Luka Modric sits in the side nicely alongside Sergio Busquets. Modric is an incredibly dynamic player, blessed with exquisite technique and vision. Modric’s is equally adept further up the field, as he is sitting in central midfield. He has matured into his new role at Madrid, using his techqnique to control possession as well as winning back the ball at pace.
He had a trophy laden early career in Croatia, before moving to Tottenham and becoming their most important player (2011 POTY). His move to Madrid started slowly, struggling to get in the side regularly, but toward the end of the season he managed to move ahead of Samir Khedira in the pecking order.
Honours
Team – Zagreb, Real Madrid
• Croatia PL – ‘6, ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia Cup – ‘7, ‘8
• Croatia & Spain Super Cups – ‘6, ‘12
Individual
• Croatian POTY – ‘7, ‘8, ‘11
• UEFA Euros TOTT – ‘8
Deco
A genius playmaker, outstanding in two of the great club sides of the decade. At Porto Deco played as an attacking midfielder, creating opportunities with his fantastic vision. Deco was a key player in Porto’s great team of the early ‘00s. Winning the Uefa Cup and Champions League in successive seasons.
At Barcelona Deco played as part of a 3 man midfield, whilst also forming a ludicrously talented partnership with Ronaldinho. At Barca he was known for his technique, passing ability, vision, and tactical awareness; often changing the game with a decisive pass.
Deco of course won the double with Chelsea in ’10, in the twilight of his career.
Deco is the only player to have won UEFA club midfielder of the year with 2 different clubs; in ’04 with Porto and ’06 with Barcelona. His list of honours is absolutely mental, and his collection of individual awards help to highlight just how important a player he was in the decade.
Honours
Porto
• Primeira Liga: 1998–99, 2002–03, 2003–04
• Taça de Portugal: 2000, 2001, 2003
• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 1999, 2001, 2003
• UEFA Champions League: 2004
• UEFA Cup: 2003
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06
• Supercopa de España: 2005, 2006
• UEFA Champions League: 2006
Chelsea
• Premier League: 2009–10
• FA Cup: 2009, 2010
• Community Shield: 2009
Fluminense
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2010, 2012
• Campeonato Carioca: 2012
• Taça Guanabara: 2012
Individual
• Ballon D'or (Silver Ball): 2004
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• UEFA Best Midfielder: 2003–04, 2005–06
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2006
• Portuguese League Footballer of the Year: 2003–04
• 2004 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
• UEFA Team of the Tournament: 2004
New Signing - Kaka
Kaka has been brought in in place of Nani to provide a much more dynamic and direct threat to the opposition, replacing Nani with a Ballon D’or winning midfield magician was a fairly simple decision which has provided a whole new look for my team.
Between 2003 and 2009, Kaka scored 95 goals for Milan and provided 46 assists. (source:Wiki) It was during this spell that Kaka was at his most phenomenal, winning every award worth winning after guiding Milan to Champions League glory in 2007.
I’m going to steal a line from Robbro which I think perfectly sums up Kaka, “As capable of dribbling past an entire team as he is of providing a defence-splitting pass, Kaka’ will be this team’s ace in the pack.”
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: 2003–04
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2004
• UEFA Champions League: 2006–07
• UEFA Super Cup: 2007
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2007
Madrid
• La Liga: 2011–12
• Copa del Rey: 2010–11
• Supercopa de España: 2012
Brazil
• FIFA World Cup: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2005, 2009
Individual (A selection)
• UEFA Champions League Best Midfielder: 2005
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2006, 2007,2009
• FIFPro World XI: 2006, 2007, 2008
• UEFA Champions League Top Scorer: 2006–07
• UEFA Champions League Best Forward: 2006–07
• UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: 2006–07
• FIFPro World Player of the Year: 2007
• Ballon d'Or: 2007
• FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007
• FIFA Team of the Year: 2008
• FIFA World Cup Top Assister : 2010
Andriy Shechenko
127 goals in just 208 appearances for Milan, including 29 strikes in 2003/04, goals which helped Milan to the Serie A title, and Shevchenko to win the Ballon D’or. This was a year after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final. A true legend of the decade, Shevchenko is Milan’s second top goalscorer of all time. Shevchenko was never the quickest striker, but relied on a deadly mixture of positioning, power and finishing to decimate opposition defences. At Milan Shevchenko formed a deadly partnership with Pipo Inzaghi, as well as leading the line himself, supported by Kaka; demonstrating his ability to adapt to different systems.
Honours
Team
Milan
• Serie A: ‘04
• Coppa Italia:‘03
• Champions League: ‘03
• Uefa Super Cup: ‘03
Chelsea
• FA Cup: ‘07
• League Cup: ‘07
Individual – how long have you got? Here’s a selection..
• Ballon D’or – 2004
• European Footballer of the Year – 2004
• Uefa Team of the Year – 2004, 2005
• Serie A top scorer – 2000, 2004
• FIFAPro World XI – 2005
• Ukraine all time leading scorer (48 goals)
Thierry Henry
The greatest player to ever play in the Premier League, well, according to me anyway.
Henry started the decade by winning the European Championships with France, scoring 3 goals and being named in the Team of the Tournament. Henry entered his absolute peak just after this period, winning two Premier League titles and 3 FA Cups with Arsenal, including the Invincibles season. Between 2001 and 2006 Henry was in every Uefa and PFA Team of the Year and won 4 consecutive Premier League golden boots. In 8 years at Arsenal, Henry managed 228 goals and 108 assists.
Henry was named in the World Cup 2006 Team of the Tournament, despite losing in the final.
After Arsenal Henry joined Barcelona and took a slightly altered role, on the left of a front 3 which in 2008/9 scored 100 goals between them. Henry was a key part of the Barcelona side many would describe as the greatest of the decade. Henry scored 26 goals in a season where Barcelona won every competition they entered.
Honours
Team
Arsenal
• Premier League: 02/03, 03/04
• FA Cup: ’02, ’03, ‘05
Barcelona
• La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10
• Copa del Rey: 2008–09
• Supercopa de España: 2009
• UEFA Champions League: 2008–09
• UEFA Super Cup: 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2009
France
• European Championships: 2000
• Confederations Cup: 2003
Individual – Again, a small selection
• PFA Players' Player of the Year (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
• PFA Team of the Year (6): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
• Premier League Golden Boot (4): 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06.
• UEFA Team of the Year (5): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
• European Golden Boot (2): 2003–04, 2004–05
• FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2006
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team (1): Germany 2006
• FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Ball (1): France 2003
• UEFA European Football Championship Team of the Tournament (1): 2000
Tactics
General line-up: neutral positions. (4-3-2-1)
Line-up in ATTACK
Midfield - My second draft pick Sergio Busquets is one of the key features of my team’s tactical approach. With Busquets in the side, the emphasis will be on dominating the midfield, both in possession, and in recycling the ball; there’s nobody better in world football at this than Sergio. Luka Modric has also thrived in a slightly deeper role recently, he too will be crucial for maintaining possession, providing dynamism and recycling possession as quickly as possible. This midfield axis will allow the more creative players in front to flourish. Deco will play the role he played most effectively at Barcelona, as the 3rd in a midfield 3, supplying a devastating #10 (Here Kaka, not Ronaldinho). Deco’s tactical discipline will be crucial, as will his playmaking and exploitation of opposition weakness. Deco is most likely to be linking up with Henry down the left half of the field, though not exclusively. With Henry and Shevchenko making runs in behind off the back of the defenders, Deco and Kaka will have plenty of opportunities to find balls in behind, both aerial, aimed towards Shevchenko, and along the ground for the forwards to run on to.
Forwards - Henry will play a starting role just off and to the left of Shevchenko, a role he played for a time at Arsenal, and brilliantly at Barcelona. When in possession though, Henry will essentially become a second striker. Henry’s main role will be to score goals, but with his fantastic vision and awareness (106 assists in his Arsenal career), he’ll also lay on plenty for Shevchenko. Further discussion of Henry’s role below.
Kaka will play the #10 role, roaming in behind Shevchenko. This was one of the most devastating partnerships of the decade, Kaka’s pace and direct running combined with exceptional vision providing a perfect foil for Sheva. Kaka will also float out to the right when needed, making use of his crossing ability. I’ll just leave this here; www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA9FUIq2PFQ
Defence – Dominating possession in midfield is a defensive tactic in itself, and by definition. This is combined with a pressing game all over the pitch, beginning with Henry and Kaka, and crucially being taken up by Modric and Busquets, forcing AB’s midfield back and trying to limit space and freedom for Messi to operate in. (More discussion below).
Both of the centre backs are specialist stoppers, and will eat up any and all long balls, and balls into the box. Lucio will have some scope to bring the ball from deep, but in general Busquets will pick the ball up from the CB’s and make use of it. Lucio is particularly skilled with the ball at his feet, and so the defence can be a foundation for maintaining possession, as well as the midfield.
Jankulovski and Panucci at full back both provide good threat going forward (53 & 40 goals in their careers). Jankulovski has spent time as a winger and thus offers a great attacking threat, with good delivery into the box likely to be capitalised on by Shevchenko. Panucci will be expected to maintain his right back position and provide a rock solid backline, alongside Lucio and Vidic. The beauty of having Busquets in the side is that, should we be caught short in defence he can fill in and form a back 3 with Lucio and Vidic.
Both Lucio and Vidic are brilliant in the air and so, along with Shevchenko, will provide a significant threat to the opposition at corners.
Set Pieces – Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry, Henry.
Opposition -
Key areas:
1. Stopping Messi: The team is set-up primarily to play it’s own game, maintaining possession and quickly recycling it back when the ball is lost, inevitably though, the team will spend periods concentrating on stifling Messi. This task will largely fall on the shoulders of Busquets. Busquets is one of the most intelligent footballers of the modern game, and will, as much as possible, track Messi, forcing him deep, tackling him quickly and always putting pressure on him before he gets into his stride. Luka Modric will also have a role to play here, providing the initial press onto Messi, and attempting to force him to play the ball early. The beauty of the Busquets/Modric combination is that they’ll run all day, not in a Scott Parker kind of way, but in an intelligent fashion, forcing Messi deep and biting at his heels if and when he gets into his stride.
2. Halting Cafu’s runs and Exploiting the space behind: Cafu was a phenomenal athlete, and an iconic wingback, keeping him quiet will be nigh on impossible. Down my left we have firstly Thierry Henry, he’ll play a subtle role versus Cafu, by constantly hugging the left and then cutting in, Cafu will need to have his wits about him at all times, otherwise he’ll risk losing him and letting Henry in behind (and we all know what that means.) Cafu is no mug, and despite the reputation for marauding forward, he’ll be forced back for long periods, with Henry putting him under constant pressure.
When Henry finds himself inside, of course Marek Jankulovski will provide the crucial line of defence against Cafu. Jankulovski has/had a good engine on him, and will be provide some stern opposition to Cafu’s forward running exploits.
DEFENSIVE TACTIC - We can see Henry & Jankulovski’s defensive roles v Cafu here, as well as the congestion plan to stifle Messi.
3. Winning the Midfield Battle: This is they key area of this tie for me, and the area I’m most confident my team has a significant edge. In Busquets, Modric and Deco we have three masterful passers of the football, all are renowned for their technical ability on the ball, and their intelligence and movement off it. AB of course has a phenomenal midfielder himself in Schweinsteiger, as well as the very competent Martinez. I do however see my threesome outplaying those two, with Mesut Ozil perhaps roaming around and not really providing too much in the way of support for his fellow midfielders. It’s also here that I have a new trick up my sleeve, in the shape of Ballon D’or winning former World POTY, Kaka. Kaka will operate in a roaming role, but mostly in front of the midfield 3, providing a dynamic link between midfield and attack. Kaka played this role better than any other player in the 2000’s, of course linking up with Andriy Shevchenko to devastating effect in that Milan side. Kaka was of course supported at Milan by a trio (sometimes quartet) of midfielders, so we know he can function excellently in this role. Kaka will force Schweini and JM deep, running at them with pace, and ideally exploiting the space behind them when they’re forced into a battle with Deco & Modric.
4. Limiting supply to Ronaldo/Suppressing his threat: Not an easy task. Winning the battle in midfield should help, by dominating possession and utilising Busquets against Messi slightly behind Ronaldo, we should be able to limit quality to supply. Of course balls will get through, we know that Vidic isn’t the quickest he makes up for that with tactical awareness and power, but Lucio is certainly no slouch whatsoever, in fact I’d probably describe his as pacey, certainly once he’s into his stride. If we come under pressure from the wings, likely with Ribery and Cafu in AB’s side, I couldn’t imagine a better pairing than Lucio and Vidic to deal with the aerial assaults, reading the game to get in ahead of Ronaldo, who was not as devastating, post knee troubles.
5. Shevchenko exploiting Cordoba: The weakness, if any, in AB’s side for me is Cordoba, though a competent centre back, versus Andriy Shevchenko in full flight, I don’t think it’s a contest. Shevchenko will of course receive supply from his favourite ever assister, Kaka, and prolific assister Henry. Sheva will look to pull onto Cordoba whenever possible, with Henry keeping Cafu and Rio entertained on the other side of the defence. I can see floated balls from Deco in behind/over the head of Cordoba being seized upon by Shevchenko, and finished with aplomb (cc. Football Cliches)
Applebonkers- Formation/bio/tactics
Bios
Rogério Ceni
Since 2000 he has won 3 League titles, a Copa Libertadores, a Copa Sudamericana and a Club World Cup as Sao Paulo’s long time captain. His individual achievements though are more vast. Voted best keeper in Série A in 00, 03, 04, 06, 07 and 08, best PLAYER of the 05 Copa Libertadores, best player of the 05 Club World Cup, the Brasileirão Best Player Award in 06 and 07, and the Golden Ball for the best player in Série A in 08.
A bit of unknown outside of South America due to his entire 1043 game career being spent at Sao Paulo, as well as only being the sub keeper in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup campaign and then again in 2006. His main strengths are described by whoscored as long passing, shot-stopping reflexes, saving close range shots and saving long shots.
This video shows 6mins of his day job, then 6mins of his more humorous party-trick www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIH06NdXQc (yeah it’s a youtube video, but Ceni is an unknown)
Stat: After 22 clean sheets in 35 games in 06/07 Ceni was nominated for the 2007 Ballon D’or where keeper wise only Buffon and Cech received more votes.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Cafu
2000/2001 won Serie A with Roma, their only title in the last 20 years, Cafu was the team’s top assister that season and was nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2002 lifted the World Cup as Brazil’s captain and was again nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2003 moved to AC Milan and won Serie A in his first season there.
2004 he was named in the UEFA Team of the Year and was shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2005 named in the UEFA Team of the Year again as well as being named in the inaugural FIFPro World XI. Again shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2006/2007 won the Champions League appearing in 8 of the matches.
2007/2008 won the FIFA Club World Cup then retired at the end of the season.
One of first 11 players elected into the Roma Hall of Fame last year www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPJXbPd2Ts
Stat: In the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year voting Paulo Maldini was the only defender to finish above Cafu.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2005.
Rio Ferdinand
We all know Rio and his Man Utd achievements but what may be his most impressive achievement is helping Leeds to a Champions League semi-final in 2001 in his first season there. A Rolls Royce CB who until a few years ago had real pace when needed too. Holds the record for a CB with 6 PFA Team of the Years appearances.
Stat: In 10 World Cup appearances Ferdinand has 7 clean sheets.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2009.
Iván Córdoba
Córdoba was an aggressive and unique centre back as he was usually shorter than the strikers he was marking but also usually quicker than them. This speed came from a powerful frame, one which gave him a great leap and strength to mix it with those much taller than him.
Inter Milan signed him for €16m in January 2000 (he actually rejected an offer from Real Madrid, presumably looking for more guaranteed starts). He became a mainstay at CB where he formed great partnerships with Materazzi and Samuel until February 2008 when a torn cruciate ligament in a Champions League game with Liverpool marked a slightly premature end to his prime. He returned in 2009 but at 33 years old, a yard slower (crucial given what type of player he was) and with Lucio signing that year he spent his last 3 seasons as more of a utility defender often playing RB too. That injury actually meant Córdoba only tasted defeat once in 2 Serie A seasons (45 starts) as 3 of Inter’s 4 defeats in 06/07 and 07/08 came during the 15 games he missed due to the injury.
Honour wise he won Serie A 5 times, the Coppa Italia 4 times and a hollow Champions League in 2010 (he only played twice in the campaign). He did however start alongside Lucio in the semi-final and final of the Club World Cup which Inter won that year. #IRWT
Internationally he captained Colombia to the 2001 Copa America title where they didn’t concede a goal in the entire tournament. He headed home the winning goal in the final too.*
Stat: Inter Milan kept 19 clean sheets in Serie A in 05/06 and 18 in 07/08.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Frank de Boer
His biggest strengths were his intelligence (positioning, reading intentions) and his technique (excellent distribution & some dreamy free kicks www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAR2BPUKNIc ). He played CB for the Netherlands, whilst at Barcelona multiple managers (which included Van Gaal) meant CB, LCB in a back 3 or sweeper in a back 3. The only constant was his place in the starting line-up while Abelardo, Christanval, Reiziger, Andersson and a young Puyol were shuffling around him.
He may be best remembered in this time period for his semi-final penalty miss against Italy in Euro 2000, but the fact he made the UEFA Team of the Tournament despite this choke is testament to his defensive performances. He got injured in the Euro 2004 quarter-final win in what turned out to be the last of his 112 caps, a record for a Dutch outfield player.
These Euro near misses reflected his time at Barcelona post 2000 too. CL semi in 2000, UEFA Cup semi in 2001, CL semi in 2002 and lost in extra-time to Nedved’s Juventus in the CL quarter-final in 2003.
Barring a line about Maldini at the end I think this little article is pretty spot on about the man thefootballspace.com/2013/03/26/football-memories-frank-de-boer/ you can substitute his part in Rivaldo’s 2001 Valencia bicycle kick in for the 98 Bergkamp goal to bring it up to date.
Stat: de Boer started 7 matches in Euro 2000 and 2004 in which the Netherlands conceded just 3 times, whilst he notched 2 from set-pieces at the other end.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2003.
Coentrão
An attack-minded full back with amazing stamina/intensity.
Helped Benfica to the 09/10 league and cup double as the ‘Portuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year.’ Had a very solid debut World Cup as part of a Portugal defence who conceded just a David Villa goal in 4 matches. In 11/12 he played 20 times in Real Madrid’s La Liga winning season then went to Euro 2012 where he made the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Stat: Benfica conceded just 6 home goals in 09/10.
Preferred judging period: 2009-today.
Schweinsteiger
Van Gaal switched a temperamental wide player to the centre of the pitch in 09/10 and the rest is history. He won the double that season, reached the CL final and made the World Cup Team of the Tournament that summer. Last season he went one better at the core of a Bayern team who won all 4 trophies available to them. Attribute wise he’s a real all-rounder in the middle.
Stat: Schweinsteiger’s 9.3 accurate long balls per game was the highest in the Bundesliga last season.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Javi Martínez
€40m raised a lot of eyebrows last summer but his impact has been instant. How often does a team win their league by 25 points, with no away losses, with just 7 away goals conceded, win both domestic cups, win the Champions League with a 7-0 semi-final win over Barcelona and a 4-0 quarter-final win over Juventus? This is why I chose Martínez to go with Schweinsteiger, a proven partnership in an incredible season. A powerful player, yet extremely intelligent and positionally astute.
Stat: Martínez made the most interceptions in last season’s Champions League.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Özil
The main playmaker in Real’s record breaking La Liga season in 11/12 where he was the top assister in Europe’s big 5 leagues and made the UEFA Team of the Year. For Germany he made the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament and surely would have made the 2010 Team of the Tournament if it remained as the old squad format rather than just a Spain dominated XI.
No player in Europe’s top 5 leagues has created more goals than Özil over the last 5 seasons, which includes his 2 seasons at Werder Bremen. Has an eye for goal too.
Stat: Finished 7th in the 2011 Ballon D’or.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Messi
The mental stats: 4 Ballon D’ors. 73 Barcelona goals in one season. 91 goals in a calendar year. Scored against all 19 teams in a row last season.
Has reached double figures for assists in the last 6 La Liga seasons. For Argentina he equalled Batistuta’s record of 12 goals in a calendar year in 2012. When you now include 2013 internationals it reads as 16 goals and 4 assists in his last 14 caps (of which 2 were recent cameos off the bench).
Stat: Over the last 2 La Liga seasons Messi has scored or assisted 124 goals in 69 games.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Phat Ronaldo
I’d estimate 2000s Ronaldo was about 80% of the phenomenon he was in 96-99 (basically pre knee-injuries) yet was still the World Player of the Year in 2002, 3rd in 2003, then 7th in 2004 which says it all really. He scored 11 in 12 World Cup games in the 2000s.
Injured for all of 2000 and 2001 he returned to score 75 goals in 107 league games over the next 4 seasons. Of these 75 goals he scored more from the left half of the pitch than any other area (26 left half of the pitch, 25 from crosses, 22 from the right, centre or rebounds and crucially just 2 were penalties).
He was a wiser striker in the 2000s, more rounded and even more two-footed. If a defender was weak in any area he exposed it, or even keepers like in his Old Trafford hattrick where he put an end to Barthez’s Man Utd career.
Stat: Scored 23 in 31 games in the 02/03 La Liga winning season, then 24 in 32 to win the Pichichi in 03/04.
Preferred judging period: 2002-2005.
Bench: Franck Ribéry.
(All assist stats from whoscored.com who use OPTA data, goal and appearance data from transfermarkt.co.uk. Ronaldo goal methods come from watching all his league goals between 01/02 and 04/05, e.g www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mbZEyuAgg )
*for context sake it has to be noted that Argentina pulled out of this tournament due to security fears whilst Brazil sent quite an experimental squad pre-WC 2002, Rivaldo for example was not involved and Ronaldo was still injured.
Since 2000 he has won 3 League titles, a Copa Libertadores, a Copa Sudamericana and a Club World Cup as Sao Paulo’s long time captain. His individual achievements though are more vast. Voted best keeper in Série A in 00, 03, 04, 06, 07 and 08, best PLAYER of the 05 Copa Libertadores, best player of the 05 Club World Cup, the Brasileirão Best Player Award in 06 and 07, and the Golden Ball for the best player in Série A in 08.
A bit of unknown outside of South America due to his entire 1043 game career being spent at Sao Paulo, as well as only being the sub keeper in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup campaign and then again in 2006. His main strengths are described by whoscored as long passing, shot-stopping reflexes, saving close range shots and saving long shots.
This video shows 6mins of his day job, then 6mins of his more humorous party-trick www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIH06NdXQc (yeah it’s a youtube video, but Ceni is an unknown)
Stat: After 22 clean sheets in 35 games in 06/07 Ceni was nominated for the 2007 Ballon D’or where keeper wise only Buffon and Cech received more votes.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Cafu
2000/2001 won Serie A with Roma, their only title in the last 20 years, Cafu was the team’s top assister that season and was nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2002 lifted the World Cup as Brazil’s captain and was again nominated for the Ballon D’or.
2003 moved to AC Milan and won Serie A in his first season there.
2004 he was named in the UEFA Team of the Year and was shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2005 named in the UEFA Team of the Year again as well as being named in the inaugural FIFPro World XI. Again shortlisted for the World Player of the Year award.
2006/2007 won the Champions League appearing in 8 of the matches.
2007/2008 won the FIFA Club World Cup then retired at the end of the season.
One of first 11 players elected into the Roma Hall of Fame last year www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPJXbPd2Ts
Stat: In the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year voting Paulo Maldini was the only defender to finish above Cafu.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2005.
Rio Ferdinand
We all know Rio and his Man Utd achievements but what may be his most impressive achievement is helping Leeds to a Champions League semi-final in 2001 in his first season there. A Rolls Royce CB who until a few years ago had real pace when needed too. Holds the record for a CB with 6 PFA Team of the Years appearances.
Stat: In 10 World Cup appearances Ferdinand has 7 clean sheets.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2009.
Iván Córdoba
Córdoba was an aggressive and unique centre back as he was usually shorter than the strikers he was marking but also usually quicker than them. This speed came from a powerful frame, one which gave him a great leap and strength to mix it with those much taller than him.
Inter Milan signed him for €16m in January 2000 (he actually rejected an offer from Real Madrid, presumably looking for more guaranteed starts). He became a mainstay at CB where he formed great partnerships with Materazzi and Samuel until February 2008 when a torn cruciate ligament in a Champions League game with Liverpool marked a slightly premature end to his prime. He returned in 2009 but at 33 years old, a yard slower (crucial given what type of player he was) and with Lucio signing that year he spent his last 3 seasons as more of a utility defender often playing RB too. That injury actually meant Córdoba only tasted defeat once in 2 Serie A seasons (45 starts) as 3 of Inter’s 4 defeats in 06/07 and 07/08 came during the 15 games he missed due to the injury.
Honour wise he won Serie A 5 times, the Coppa Italia 4 times and a hollow Champions League in 2010 (he only played twice in the campaign). He did however start alongside Lucio in the semi-final and final of the Club World Cup which Inter won that year. #IRWT
Internationally he captained Colombia to the 2001 Copa America title where they didn’t concede a goal in the entire tournament. He headed home the winning goal in the final too.*
Stat: Inter Milan kept 19 clean sheets in Serie A in 05/06 and 18 in 07/08.
Preferred judging period: 2004-2008.
Frank de Boer
His biggest strengths were his intelligence (positioning, reading intentions) and his technique (excellent distribution & some dreamy free kicks www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAR2BPUKNIc ). He played CB for the Netherlands, whilst at Barcelona multiple managers (which included Van Gaal) meant CB, LCB in a back 3 or sweeper in a back 3. The only constant was his place in the starting line-up while Abelardo, Christanval, Reiziger, Andersson and a young Puyol were shuffling around him.
He may be best remembered in this time period for his semi-final penalty miss against Italy in Euro 2000, but the fact he made the UEFA Team of the Tournament despite this choke is testament to his defensive performances. He got injured in the Euro 2004 quarter-final win in what turned out to be the last of his 112 caps, a record for a Dutch outfield player.
These Euro near misses reflected his time at Barcelona post 2000 too. CL semi in 2000, UEFA Cup semi in 2001, CL semi in 2002 and lost in extra-time to Nedved’s Juventus in the CL quarter-final in 2003.
Barring a line about Maldini at the end I think this little article is pretty spot on about the man thefootballspace.com/2013/03/26/football-memories-frank-de-boer/ you can substitute his part in Rivaldo’s 2001 Valencia bicycle kick in for the 98 Bergkamp goal to bring it up to date.
Stat: de Boer started 7 matches in Euro 2000 and 2004 in which the Netherlands conceded just 3 times, whilst he notched 2 from set-pieces at the other end.
Preferred judging period: 2000-2003.
Coentrão
An attack-minded full back with amazing stamina/intensity.
Helped Benfica to the 09/10 league and cup double as the ‘Portuguese League Breakthrough Player of the Year.’ Had a very solid debut World Cup as part of a Portugal defence who conceded just a David Villa goal in 4 matches. In 11/12 he played 20 times in Real Madrid’s La Liga winning season then went to Euro 2012 where he made the UEFA Team of the Tournament.
Stat: Benfica conceded just 6 home goals in 09/10.
Preferred judging period: 2009-today.
Schweinsteiger
Van Gaal switched a temperamental wide player to the centre of the pitch in 09/10 and the rest is history. He won the double that season, reached the CL final and made the World Cup Team of the Tournament that summer. Last season he went one better at the core of a Bayern team who won all 4 trophies available to them. Attribute wise he’s a real all-rounder in the middle.
Stat: Schweinsteiger’s 9.3 accurate long balls per game was the highest in the Bundesliga last season.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Javi Martínez
€40m raised a lot of eyebrows last summer but his impact has been instant. How often does a team win their league by 25 points, with no away losses, with just 7 away goals conceded, win both domestic cups, win the Champions League with a 7-0 semi-final win over Barcelona and a 4-0 quarter-final win over Juventus? This is why I chose Martínez to go with Schweinsteiger, a proven partnership in an incredible season. A powerful player, yet extremely intelligent and positionally astute.
Stat: Martínez made the most interceptions in last season’s Champions League.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Özil
The main playmaker in Real’s record breaking La Liga season in 11/12 where he was the top assister in Europe’s big 5 leagues and made the UEFA Team of the Year. For Germany he made the Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament and surely would have made the 2010 Team of the Tournament if it remained as the old squad format rather than just a Spain dominated XI.
No player in Europe’s top 5 leagues has created more goals than Özil over the last 5 seasons, which includes his 2 seasons at Werder Bremen. Has an eye for goal too.
Stat: Finished 7th in the 2011 Ballon D’or.
Preferred judging period: 2010-today.
Messi
The mental stats: 4 Ballon D’ors. 73 Barcelona goals in one season. 91 goals in a calendar year. Scored against all 19 teams in a row last season.
Has reached double figures for assists in the last 6 La Liga seasons. For Argentina he equalled Batistuta’s record of 12 goals in a calendar year in 2012. When you now include 2013 internationals it reads as 16 goals and 4 assists in his last 14 caps (of which 2 were recent cameos off the bench).
Stat: Over the last 2 La Liga seasons Messi has scored or assisted 124 goals in 69 games.
Preferred judging period: 2008-today.
Phat Ronaldo
I’d estimate 2000s Ronaldo was about 80% of the phenomenon he was in 96-99 (basically pre knee-injuries) yet was still the World Player of the Year in 2002, 3rd in 2003, then 7th in 2004 which says it all really. He scored 11 in 12 World Cup games in the 2000s.
Injured for all of 2000 and 2001 he returned to score 75 goals in 107 league games over the next 4 seasons. Of these 75 goals he scored more from the left half of the pitch than any other area (26 left half of the pitch, 25 from crosses, 22 from the right, centre or rebounds and crucially just 2 were penalties).
He was a wiser striker in the 2000s, more rounded and even more two-footed. If a defender was weak in any area he exposed it, or even keepers like in his Old Trafford hattrick where he put an end to Barthez’s Man Utd career.
Stat: Scored 23 in 31 games in the 02/03 La Liga winning season, then 24 in 32 to win the Pichichi in 03/04.
Preferred judging period: 2002-2005.
Bench: Franck Ribéry.
(All assist stats from whoscored.com who use OPTA data, goal and appearance data from transfermarkt.co.uk. Ronaldo goal methods come from watching all his league goals between 01/02 and 04/05, e.g www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mbZEyuAgg )
*for context sake it has to be noted that Argentina pulled out of this tournament due to security fears whilst Brazil sent quite an experimental squad pre-WC 2002, Rivaldo for example was not involved and Ronaldo was still injured.
